European researchers have launched the HiCONNECTS project to develop photonics-based computing and networking systems, bringing together 64 partners across 15 countries.

The initiative aims to replace some conventional electronic data processing with systems that use light to transmit and compute data. Its backers argue this could cut electricity use in data centres, mobile networks and other digital infrastructure as demand from artificial intelligence, streaming and cloud services grows.

Concern over the energy use of digital infrastructure has increased as AI workloads expand and more services rely on constant data transfers between users, devices and remote computing facilities. Figures cited by the project show data centres already account for about 1.5% of global electricity consumption, and demand could more than double by 2030.

System strain

Researchers say part of the problem lies in the limits of electrical signals. As systems run faster and carry more data, those signals generate more heat and lose more energy, increasing pressure on power supplies and cooling systems.

Photonics offers an alternative because light can carry information with lower energy loss than electricity across many types of connection. The HiCONNECTS consortium plans to combine photonics with advanced electronics to reduce heat, lower power use and increase data speeds.

Another part of the project focuses on shifting where data is processed. Instead of sending all information to distant data centres, the researchers are examining ways to handle more computing locally, including on devices, within urban networks and across nearby systems.

That model, described by the organisers as a more localised internet, is intended to shorten the distance data must travel. The expected result is lower latency, lower energy use and less pressure on centralised facilities.

The applications under discussion range from AI services and telecoms networks to healthcare diagnostics and smart city systems. In each case, the goal is to support higher data volumes without a matching rise in power consumption.

European focus

The scale of the consortium reflects the strategic importance Europe places on photonics and semiconductors. HiCONNECTS includes semiconductor companies, equipment manufacturers, universities and research institutes, and is positioned as part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe in technologies linked to computing and communications.

Photonics21, which represents the European photonics community, has framed the initiative as a response to growing strain on digital infrastructure. The group warns that current systems may struggle to keep pace if data volumes continue to rise and energy use increases with them.

Europe already has a significant industrial base in photonics. According to Photonics21, the region’s photonics industry grew from EUR €103 billion in 2019 to EUR €124.6 billion in 2022 and employs more than 430,000 people directly. It also puts the global photonics market at USD $864.6 billion in 2022.

The organisation represents more than 4,300 individual members from industry, research organisations and universities. It describes photonics as one of the critical technologies in which Europe retains a strong position in both research and business.

Infrastructure challenge

For network operators and technology companies, the broader challenge is how to scale digital services without a matching increase in electricity demand. Every AI query, streamed video or location request triggers data movement across networks and processing in computing facilities, often far from the user.

That architecture has worked for years, but the rise of AI and connected devices has sharpened concerns about whether existing approaches can remain efficient. HiCONNECTS is trying to address that challenge at the hardware level by redesigning how information is moved and processed.

The project’s organisers argue the sector’s challenge is no longer only to improve speed, but to ensure future computing infrastructure can expand without overwhelming energy systems.

By bringing together major industrial and academic participants from across Europe, HiCONNECTS will test whether light-based processing and communications can reduce the energy cost of the internet’s next phase.

Cambridge Wireless has unveiled the agenda for its International Conference 2026 in Cambridge, centred on the intersection of connectivity, artificial intelligence and network security.

Now in its 17th year, the annual conference is expected to bring together 37 speakers and more than 500 delegates from telecoms, defence, quantum computing, manufacturing and the public sector.

The programme is built around three themes: Connectivity & AI; the wider convergence of technologies beyond AI; and the security, skills and trust issues linked to infrastructure. It reflects a market in which telecoms operators, government agencies and research bodies are reassessing the role of communications networks as AI systems, automation and cyber threats become more closely intertwined.

One keynote session will be delivered by Peter Haigh, Deputy CTO at the National Cyber Security Centre. He is due to address resilience, security and the implications of AI for national infrastructure, putting cyber risk and public network protection high on the agenda.

Other sessions will examine whether operators can move beyond their traditional role as connectivity providers as AI becomes more embedded in digital systems. Speakers from the National Physical Labouratory, Telekom Srbija Group and BT will discuss whether telecoms groups can claim a larger role in the AI economy or risk becoming less central as value shifts elsewhere in the technology stack.

Security focus

Defence and security issues will also feature prominently. Experts from the Defence Science and Technology Labouratory and the Ministry of Defence will take part in a session on how AI-enabled connectivity is changing operational activity while introducing new weaknesses in contested environments.

The focus reflects a broader concern across government and industry: as communications networks become more software-driven, more autonomous and more critical to essential systems, pressure is increasing to protect them against disruption and misuse.

The programme also looks beyond telecoms infrastructure to industrial applications. Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, is scheduled to discuss autonomous production and so-called dark factories, where highly connected, automated manufacturing systems run with limited human intervention.

These themes reflect a wider trend in advanced industry, where digital communications, robotics and AI are becoming more tightly integrated into factory operations. For manufacturers, the promise is greater efficiency and round-the-clock output, but the shift also raises questions about resilience, workforce skills and operational control.

Start-up role

Innovation from smaller companies will have a dedicated place in the programme. Simon Fabri, Director of Product and Engineering at His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre, will chair a session on innovation and entrepreneurship focused on founders and technical leaders working on emerging communications technologies.

The conference will also include a Start-Up Zone featuring 12 early-stage companies. The dedicated space positions young businesses alongside established telecoms groups, research organisations and public sector bodies in discussions about the sector’s direction.

Quantum networking is another area set for scrutiny. Representatives from IBM and IQM Quantum Computers are due to discuss the practical implications of the quantum internet, including its significance for security, infrastructure and international competition.

The subject has drawn increasing attention from governments and technology groups because of its potential implications for secure communications and long-term computing strategy. At the same time, debate continues over how quickly quantum networking can move from research to widespread use, and whether expectations are outpacing commercial reality.

The closing part of the conference will turn to what organisers describe as systemic autonomy. In a fireside chat, Daniel Doll-Steinberg, co-founder of Edenbase, is expected to consider the frameworks needed for increasingly intelligent networks and automated systems.

The speaker line-up and session topics point to an effort to bring policy, research and commercial questions together in one forum. Rather than focusing on a single branch of the communications market, the event ranges from cyber security and military use cases to industrial automation, entrepreneurship and quantum computing.

Michaela Eschbach, CEO of Cambridge Wireless, said: “CWIC 2026 arrives at a moment when the role of connectivity is being fundamentally redefined. Connectivity is no longer just infrastructure; it is the foundation of intelligence on which AI, automation and next-generation technologies depend.

“This year’s conference brings together leaders who understand that the future lies not in isolated technologies, but in their convergence, and they will provide strategic clarity and practical insight into what comes next.”

Bull has won a €30 million, five-year contract to supply AI infrastructure for the Mimer AI Factory in Sweden.

Procured by EuroHPC JU and co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme and the Swedish Research Council, the system will be deployed at the National Academic Infrastructure for Supercomputing in Sweden, or NAISS, which hosts Mimer.

Launched in 2025, Mimer provides advanced computing access for industry and research in fields including life sciences, materials science, autonomous systems and gaming. The facility already supports more than 200 companies, according to Bull, and rising demand has created a need for additional AI-focused capacity.

The contract covers infrastructure, an AI platform and support for use cases. Bull will also provide maintenance, support and training for NAISS teams and end users.

The company plans to install a system based on its BullSequana XH3500 architecture, delivered through an as-a-service model with cloud-style access.

This is intended to make the system accessible to a wider range of users, particularly smaller businesses and start-ups that may lack the resources to run large computing systems directly. NAISS and its backers are presenting Mimer as part of a broader European effort to expand access to AI development tools and computing resources.

European push

The project is part of a wider European drive to build more domestic computing and AI infrastructure. EuroHPC JU, the public-private initiative for supercomputing, has been expanding support for systems designed for AI workloads as governments and research bodies seek to reduce dependence on non-European platforms.

According to Bull, the Mimer deployment will include software developed in Europe for the development, governance and operation of AI systems. The platform will also provide sector-specific environments for researchers, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Energy use remains a central issue for large-scale AI and supercomputing installations. Bull said the infrastructure for Mimer will use its direct liquid cooling technology, which it says improves energy efficiency and supports longer-term expansion.

For Sweden, the contract adds to efforts to strengthen national and regional computing resources for research and industry. Mimer is aimed at users in both the public and private sectors, with an emphasis on helping organisations move from access to computing infrastructure to operational AI work.

Erik Lindahl, Professor at Linköping University and NAISS Director, described the project as an early AI-focused system under the EuroHPC framework.

“As one of the first AI-only systems deployed by EuroHPC JU, this is an important milestone for NAISS and the AI Factory infrastructure. It will enable SMEs, public sector actors, and researchers to rapidly deploy AI workloads. It is also a key enabler to develop sovereign language models and deliver impact in areas such as life sciences, materials science, and autonomous systems. We are excited to work with Bull on a platform that combines performance with a strong commitment to open source to strengthen Sweden’s capacity for secure AI,” said Lindahl.

Company position

The deal is also an early contract announcement for Bull as a standalone business. The company reports about €720 million in revenue, 3,000 staff and operations in 32 countries, spanning supercomputing, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

Chief executive Emmanuel Le Roux said the Mimer contract reflects Bull’s direction as it builds its position in advanced computing and AI.

“AI Factories are critical building blocks in scaling Europe’s AI infrastructure. With Mimer AI Factory, Bull is delivering not only high‐performance AI infrastructure, but a comprehensive portfolio of AI-dedicated assets, spanning systems, software, use cases and skills. As Bull enters a new chapter as an independent company, this contract illustrates our strategy to accelerate across the full spectrum of advanced computing and AI technologies – delivering sustainable solutions with tangible real-world impact. By supporting the expansion of Mimer AI Factory, Bull reinforces its role as a trusted partner in Europe’s HPC and AI landscape and contributes to the growth of a broad ecosystem of European innovators,” said Le Roux.